Extensible bedstead or couch.



No. 7|2,7|8. Patented Nov. 4, |902. A.ln|= mman-MALLET.

EXTENSIBLE BEDSTEAD 0R COUCH.

Application led Feb, 14, 1901.: (No Manel() 2 sheets-shut UNITED STATES PATIENT @Finca ADRIAN DE PINIEc-MALLET, OF BROOKLYN, NEW' YORK. i

EXTENSIBLE eEnsT-EAD OR cocci-i.

SPECIFICATION forming'rpart of Letters Patent No. 712,718, dated November 4, 1902..

Application iiled February 14, 1901. Serial No. 47,208. (No model.) I

To a/ZZ whom, t may concern.-

y Be it known that I, ADRIAN DE PINIEc-MAL- LET, a citizen of the United States, residing,` in Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvementsin Extensible Bedsteads or Couches, of which the followingis a specification.

This invention relates to extension-beds or couch-beds, the object being to provide an improved structure simple in construction .and operation and com paratively inexpensive to manufacture, whereby it may be placed upon the market at lowcost.

A furtherobject of the invention is to provide an improved bed comprising a main section and-a sliding or extensible section, each having 'a metallic fabric rigid therewith, the

structure being so organized that the metallic fabric of one section will slide transversely or crosswise between a side bar and the metallic fabric of the other section, whereby the two sections are nested, andv the two fabrics are in suchclose relation that they are nearly level when extended, the distance between the two beingsufiicient to permit the proper sliding of one under the other without interfering with such movement, and such sections comprising when closed a single and when open a full-sized double bed. l

A further object of the invention is to provide an extension-couch or couch-bed which may be' made of metal throughout, and thus frames comprising` mattress-supporting bars having the desired number ot' legs or feet, preferably formed as a part thereof, such end frames being connected by suitable metallic side bars so formed or located that the proper spring of the metallic fabric will not be interfered with and so that the fabric ot the extensible section will slide between a side bar and the fabric of the main section, and thus bring such fabrics nearly level when the sections are extended.

Prior to the present improv'ementrvarious attempts have been made to furnish a practicable full-sized bed which could be closed up to form a single bed; but up to the presf ent invention these attempts have not met with commercial success for various reasons,

onebeing that it has nevery beenfound possible, so far as' I am aware, to assemble a pair of metallic sections in such manner that one could be nested with the other to bring the' tops thereof nearly level'when extended, so`

that by making the .stuffed mattress of one section merely slightly thicker than that of the other the beds would be perfectly level to lie upon. On the contrary, vit has been -the usual practice to either shift one bed under the other, thus leaving considerable space between the tops thereof impracticable to obviate bythe mere thickening of the stuffed lmattress, or the'bel has been so constructed that Whenthe extension is in use a division has been formed by the side bar'ot one structure projecting above the level of the two beds and dividing them like a fence,'andl believe that I amthe first to provide a bed comprising two nested sections each comprising a metallic frame having a metallic fabric rigid therewith and one movable transversely relative to the other and between a side bar and the'metallic fabric of the other and organized to form a full-sizedv or a single bed, as may be required, with such fabrics 'nearly level when the sections are extended and which sections may be readily disassembled, if desired. The main or that section which usually7 remains stationary comprises in a general way two endf'rames, each composed of a horizontal mattress-supporting .bar 'and two legs or posts and side bars'connecting said end frames together, said inattress-supporting bars having a metallic fabric rigidly connected thereto and stretched between the same. The movable or extensible section likewise comprises two end frames, each com\ posed of a horizontal mattress-supporting` b ar and suitable supports, shown herein as comprising a leg at the outer end of each end frame and a rest or support atdthe inner end thereof, the latter adapted to rest and slide along on transverse vsupports or guide-bars I carried'by the main section and side bars contion, so that it will move inside of` the endl frames thereof, the mattress-'supporting bars ky.as

of the extensible section being located slightly below the mattress supporting bars of the main section, so that one fabric may readily slide under the other. v

One embodiment of ,this invention is 'represented in the 'accompanying drawings, forming a part .of this specification, in which- Figure 1 is .an end View of this improved extensible couch or bed. Fig. 2 is a plan view of a part of this improved couch or bed. Fig. 3 is a view, partly in section, on an enlarged scale, of one corner of the sections when ciosed; and Fig. 4' is a perspective 'view of this extensible conch `or couch-bed with a part -of the metallic fabric of the main section in position.

' Similar characters of reference designate like parts throughout the drawings.

In the form shown this improved extensible couch or couch-bed comprises a pair'of sections A and B, one a main and the other an extensiblesection. The main section A comprises two similar end frames, each end frame comprising a mattress-supporting bar 4 or 5,

having a pair of legs or posts 6 6 or 6' andv 6"', one at each end of such bar and preferably formed as a part thereof, and a trans verse support orguide-bar 8,shown connected at each end to one of said legs at a point below the bars k4 or 5.

The bars 4 and 5 of the end frames support the metallic mattress, which may-be a springmattress or an ordinarily formed mattress of woven wire, and for this purposethey are Other modes of attaching the mattress may be used,` however. A Y

The ,supporting bars and legs are preferably made of angle-iron, the legs being preferably bent into an upright position, 'so that the end frame may be all nemember. The

two end frames of the main section are con- To give additional stiness tothe structure, suitable diagonal braces are provided, se-

`cured to the side bars and legs, one at each corner of the section.

The extensible section B is shown shorter than' the main section to permit itv to move between the end' frames thereof and is constructed to support its metallic fabric in a plane slightly below the fabric of the main section, so that when the two sections are closed one mattrless will be slightly below the other, and when open the distance between the two mattresses will be so slight that by simply making one stuffed mattress slightly thicker than the other the bed will be per-- fectly level. This movable section likewise comprises two end frames, each of which comprises a horizontal mattress-supporting bar 10 or 1l, having supporting means at each end thereof, one being in the form of a leg or post 12 or 12 and the other in the form of a rest, such as a roll 12", movable-upon the support or guide-bar-S, such end -frames being connected by suitable side bars 9, likewise shown as drop side bars and preferably formed of angle-iron. The section is given additional stiffness -by suitable diagonal braces, the outer two connecting the side bars and legs and the inner two the side bars and bars 10 and 11'.

The drop formation of the side bars peri f 'mits the proper yielding of the metallic fabric, which, it will be noted, is not connected to the 'framework except at its ends. This yielding- 4bar of the main section, so that such side bar will move over the other during the closing of the section. x

The legs of the extensible section are slightly shorter than those of the main section to permit the mattress-supporting bars of such extensible section to move below .the mattresssupporting bars of the main section.

In the present organization each track o r roll supporting member 8 is soconstructed and assembled that the rolls 12" are -mounted between two opposing faces 13 13', thereby preventing disengagement of the roll from the track duringthe sliding of the sections transversely.

While in practice the rolls may constitute stops and engage suitable surfaces carried by the main section to limit the adjustment of one section relatively to the other, nevertheless it is deemed preferable to provide the extensible section with one or more stops or stop-faces 14, shown herein as two in number. These stops in the form shown are fastened to the rollfcarrying member and arein position to engage coacting surfaces carried by the main lsection and which in the present instance are show n as a pair of projections 15, secured one to each of the posts 6" and 6"whereby when IOO IIO

the extensible section has been properly extended to form a full-sized double couch further movement thereof is prevented. These stops may be pivotallysecured to the bars, whereby they are movable so as to permit the separation of the sections.

The end f ra mesof each section are connected together by suitable tie-rods 7,'one counecting each pair of legs and located somewhat below the side bars. Vit out the prov ision of these tie-rods the form tion of the Iside bars of angle-iron would not be practicable,l since the tension of the spring-mattress and the weight thereon when in use would pull the two horizontal mattress-supporting bars of each section toward each other, thus spreading the legs and buckling r the side bars; but-by means of the tie-rods this is prevented, so that, as hereinbefore stated, the entire structure, including the end frames and side bars, may be made throughout of angle-iron, thus providing a much lighter structure than one formed of tubing. The side bars and tie-rods constitute stiffening means for; the frame.

For the couch-bed manufacturer the present structure is preferable, since it is necessaryto pull but two rolls over a mat or other obstruction on pulling out the extensible section, and these two rolls being on the outer side can be readily liftedl,'whereas if the inner side were provided with extended legs, such as are at the outer side of the extensible section, these rolls would likewise have ing metallic fabrics, such as spring or wovenV wire mattresses, each directly provided with legs or feet, one in the preferred form having a pair of legs and the other having four legs, that section having thelargest n umber of legs having means coacting with the two legs of the extensible section to support such section, so that said main section constitutes not yonly aV complete. section in itself, but forms to a certainextent a part of the extensible section whereby a pair of legs act not only to support said main section, but also such extensible section. In other words, the intermediate legsor posts 6 and 6"' form supports for the inner side of both sections when the sections are extended, while the posts 6 and 6 form supports for such extensible section when the sections are closed.

Of course it will be obvious that other guiding means and stopping means may be used and that the main section could be shiftedinstead of the extensible section', theextensible section in the present instance being shown with its transverse members located intermediate the transverse members of the main section, although this could be reversed, it' preferred. flt is "therefore to be understood that the various details of construction may be more or less tnodilied without departing from the scope of this invention.

' I claitn as my invention- 1. Two nested bed-sections, onea main section andthe other an extensible section, each including lengthwise-extending side bars,and.

a permanently-connected metallic fabric, the metallic fabric of one section movable transversely between a lengthwise-extending side bar and the metallic fabric ot' the other lsection whereby the tops of such fabrics are nearly level when the sections are extended.

2. Two nested bed-sections, one-a main section and the other an extensible section each including lengtlnvisc-ex-tending side bars and a pair of transversely-ex tending permanently` connected metallic- ,fabric-supporting bars,

'transversely between aside bar extending lengthwise of the maitt section and the fabric of such main section, whereby the topsf the fabrics are nearly level-'when the lsections are extended. A

3. rlwo nested bed-sections metallic formed throughout, one a main section and thevother an extensible sectioneach including lengthwise-extending side bars and transverselyextending permanently-connected metallicfabric-supporting bars, and a. metallic fabric rigidly connected at its ends to said trans-i versebars, the fabric of the extensible section 4being located to move between a side bar extending'lengthwise ofthe main section and the fabric of such main-sectiom. wherebyextended the fabrics y when the sections are are nearly level.

4s An extensible couch-bed comprising two sections, one a. main section comprising two end frames each'comprehending a fabic-supporting bar and legs,` lengthwise-extending side bars permanently connecting said end framesV together, andA a metallic fabric stretched between such end frames; and the l other an extensible section likewise comprising two end frames comprehending fabricsupporting-bars and legs, lengthwise-extendingside bars permanently connecting such end frames together and a metallic fabric stretched between the same, the fabric of the extensible section being movable transversely between a Vside bar extending ylengthwise of .the main section and the fabric of such main adapted torest upon the floor; lengthwise- IIO extending 'side bars permanently connecting said endframes together and a metallic fabric stretched between 'such endframes, the metallic fabric of the extensible section being movable transversely between a side bar extending` lengthwise of the main section and the metallic fabric of such main section and of substantially the same width as that of the main section so that the two fabricswill when the sections are extended form a full-sized double bed, and be nearly level. v

6. An extensible bed or couch comprising a main section consisting of two end frames each ,composed of a horizontal mattress-supporting bar and a pair of legs or supports having rolls; lengthwise-extending side bars connecting said end frames together and a metallic fabric stretched between and per' manently connected to said end frames; and

an extensible section likewise comprising two ment transversely of the main section`,length wise-extending side bars connecting such end frames, and a metallic fabric stretched between' and permanently connected tosaid -end frames and movable between a side bar extending lengthwise of the main section andv y of two end frames, comprising transverse fabric-supporting bars and feet and each endl frame of an integral structure, lengthwise'- extending side bars connecting the end frames of each section and a metallicfabric carriedy by eachsection, all of said parts of each section being permanently connected together, the extensible section having its fabric sliding transversely between a side bar and the fabric of the main'section, whereby when such sections are extended the fabrics are nearly level.

- 8. An extensible couch or bed, comprising an angle-iron main section, andan angle-ironextensible section eachformed of end frames comprising transverse fabric-supporting bars and feet, lengthwise-extending angle-iron side bars connecting the end frames of each section, tie-rods located below and extendinglengthwise of the side bars and connecting the feet of the end framesto prevent the buckling of the side bars and the spreading kof the lower ends of lsaid end frames, anda metallic fabric carried by each section, the end frames, side bars and metallic fabric of each section permanentlyconnected together, and the metallicA fabric of the extensible section sliding transversely between a sidebar and the fabric of the main section whereby when said sections are extended the fabrics are nearly level.

9. An extensible couchvor bed comprising a pair of sections each comprising apai'r of end frames connected bya metallic fabric and lengthwise-extending side bars, one of said sections having four feet or legsand a pair of 'transversely-,extending guide-bars, and the other having a pair of vfeet at its-outer side,

lits inner side resting and sliding on such guide-bars, the fabric of the latter section sliding between a-lengthwise-extending side bar and the fabric of the other section, whereby when the sections are extended the two fabrics are nearly level.. 1

10. An extensible couch'or bed comprising va main section composed of two end frames each of an angle-ironjstructure and comprising a transverse mattress-supporting bar and ture and comprisinga transverse mattresssupporting bar and a single integral leg at its outer end, and a rest at its inne end, angleiron side bars connecting said' nd'fram'es, and a metallic fabric stretched b tween said mattress-supporting bars, the fa ric of onesection movable transversely between the fabric and a side bar of the other section, whereby when the sections are extended the fabrics are nearly'level, means carried' by the main section for guiding the extensible section during its transverselrnovement; and tie-rods lo cated below said side bars and extending 'lengthwisethereof and connecting the legs of substantially equal strength and comprising transverse glipporting bars and legs, a spring or metal-lic fabric permanently connected to Athe transverse supporting-bars of the two end frames, andstiifening means connecting the two end frames and having a part connecting said end franjes 'adjacent to the tops thereof but below said fabric and a part connecting the end frames a relatively great distance below the said connections near the tops of said end frames, the lower part of 'said stiiening means eective lto take the pulling strains of said spring fabric and of the weight thereon and prevent the-tops of said end frames from approaching each other, and another section also having a metallic fabricand stiening means, the fabric of one section movable between the fabric and l.the plane of the stiEening means of the other section.

13. A section for anextensible couch or bed TOO IIO

comprising two end frames constructed of,

substantially equal strength and each end frame comprisinga transverse supporting-bar and a pair of feet, a spring or metallic fabric permanently connected to the transversesupporting-bars of the two end frames, stienin g devices located below said fabric and connecting the feet of the two endframes and each comprising a drop side bar and a supplementary rod located below said side bar and effective to take the pulling strains of said fabric and of the weight thereon andprevent the tops of said end frames from' approaching each other, the strength of said supplementary rod being greater than that of the end frames, and a sliding section having a metallic fabric movable between the fabric and the plane of lthe drop side bars of said rst section.

sidegbars located below said fabric and connectin'gsaid end frames, and a stiffening-rod connecting said feet below one of said side bars, and another. section having a metallic fabric and side bars between which fabric and the plane of said side bars the fabric of said first section is shiftable.

15. An extensible conch-bed comprising a main section andan extensible section, each formed of,a pair of end frames; a metallic fabric connecting said end frames and drop side bars-connecting the end frames of each section whereby the yielding of the fabrics is not interfered with; the fabric of the extensible section sliding transversely between a'side bar and a fabric of the main-section whereby when the sections are extended such fabrics are nearly level.

16. An extensible conch or bed comprising a` pair of sections, one'movable relatively to the other, one of said sections having tracks or ways andthe other of said sections having guide-rolls in engagement with said tracks or Ways, -and movable stops' for limiting the movement of said sections relatively to each other. y

17. An extensible couch or bed comprising a pair of separable sections, each comprising a pair of end frames, a metallic fabric permanently connected to said pair of end frames, and side bars connecting said pair of end frames, one of said sections movable transversely between a side bar and the metallic fabric of the other section, and one ofsaid sections having shiftablemeans fol` limitingthe shifting of said section, the organization being such that by shifting said means the sections can be separated.

`18. In a couch-bed, a main/section comprising two end frames, each composed of a horizontal mattress-supporting bar and tWo legs, and side bars connecting said end frames together, disposed below saidi` mattress-snp.

porting bars, a horizontal supporting-bar at each end of the main section, and a movable section comprising two end frames, each composed of a horizontal mattress-supporting bar and a leg at one end thereof, and a rest or support at the other end thereof, the latter adapted to rest upon and slide along on ther horizontal supporting-bars of the main section, and drop side bars connectingv said end frames together, disposed below the mattress-supporting bars, one occupying a plane above the side bars of the main section, substantially as-deseribed.

19. In acouch-bed, a main section comprising two` end frames, each composed of a horizontal mattress-supporting bar and two legs,' and side bars connecting said end frames together, a horizontal supporting-bar at each vend of the main section, a movable ysection made shorter tha'the main section comprising two end frames, each composed of a horizontal mattress-supporting bar and a leg at one end thereof, and a rest or support at the oth-er end thereof, the latter adapted to rest upon and slide along on the horizontal snpporting-bars of the main section, drop side bars connecting said end frames together, the

mattress-supporting bars of the movable sec-A tion occupying a plane below the mattresssupporting bars of the main section androne of the drop` side bars of said movable section occnpyinga plane above the side bars of the main section, substantially as described.

20. In a couch-bed, a main section comprising vtwo end frames, each composed of a horizontal mattress-supporting bar and two legs, and side bars connecting said end frames together, a horizontal supporting-bar at each end of the main section, a movable section, made shorter than the main section, comprising two end frames, each composed of a horizontal mattress-supporting bar occupying a plane below the mattress-supporting bars of the main section, a leg at one end thereof, and a rest or support at the other end thereof, the latter'adapted to rest upon and slide along on the horizontal v.supportirLg-bars of the main section, and side bars connecting said end frames together, one occupying a plane above t the side bars of the main section, substantially Witnesses:

C. A. WEED, CEAS. FINKLER.

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